VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

What is it? Performing an act of kindness, freely giving of your talent, time and effort or the simple fulfillment of community expectations. The definition of volunteerism may vary as greatly as the types of people who volunteer and the jobs that they perform.

• Albertans love to volunteer! 72% of Albertans volunteered in 1999.
• Almost all Albertans surveyed, 99% feel that volunteer activities are important in contributing to the overall quality of life in their community.
• The vast majority of Albertans, 97% said it was important that their community have support for youth volunteering.
• 95% of survey respondents indicated that support for funding of volunteer organizations’ projects and programs as well as the coordination and management of volunteers was important.
• 94% of Albertans indicated that volunteer training and development was important to their community and that they should receive support to nurture these areas of volunteer development.
• 41% of volunteers indicated that recruitment and retention of volunteers as being the area where volunteer organizations need the most assistance in their community.
• 27% of volunteer organizations indicated that assistance in helping them work in partnerships with other organizations is important.

** Facts obtained from the Survey of Albertans conducted by Research Innovations Inc. for Alberta Community Development May 2000

• 31.4% of Canadians, 15 years of age and older, volunteer.
• Alberta has one of the highest rate of volunteerism in Canada – 40% (second behind Saskatchewan at 47%)
• 7 out of every 10 Calgarians take part in some form of volunteer activity.
• The average Albertan volunteer contributes 146 hours per year to a charitable or non-profit organization.
• The average Calgarians contributes 127 hours per year.
• The ratio of volunteers are 46% men (160 hours) and 54% female (140 hours)
• The average volunteer is 35 to 44 years old, married, employed full-time, with a university degree
• 38% of charities in Canada are run entirely by volunteers and do not have any full time staff. An additional 21% have only one full time staff person.

Youth Volunteers

• Youth volunteering [age 15-24 years] has just about doubled in the past 10 years, from 18% in 1987 to 33% in 1997
• Youth volunteers have different motivations, according to research. They do unpaid work to improve job opportunities and to learn new skills
• 65% of youth volunteers believe that their volunteer effort will help their chances of finding a job.

Senior Volunteers

• Older adults volunteer because they believe in the cause or to fulfill a religious obligation
• More seniors and retirees are choosing volunteer work as a way to feel useful and avoid social isolation.
• Widowed Albertans were the least likely to volunteer but when they did, contributed the greatest number of volunteer hours.
• Older adults are rich in experience and creativity and they are available.

The Federation of Calgary Communities provides audit and bookkeeping services to our member community associations.
Do you have accounting skills that are in line with the following tasks?

• Basic bookkeeping - using Simply Accounting software
• Preparing spreadsheets – using Excel software
• Reconciling accounts
• Tracking information for audit confirmation

If you are interested in assisting us and available during the day (8AM-4PM) please call our office at (403) 244-4111 or with your name and telephone number to be included in our volunteer database. We keep your information on file for 6 months.

The Federation of Calgary Communities Board consists of 15 positions elected by our membership of residential Community Associations. The Board generally meets once per month, without compensation to formulate and monitor policies. This is a challenging opportunity for individuals who want to promote and support the residential community associations in Calgary.

Our objectives include assisting the residential community associations by providing:

• Services - Financial / Organizational Development / Communications & Marketing / Urban Planning
• Community Advocacy - Representation on committees for city-wide community issues
• Partners - Develop partnerships to assist us in providing services to our stakeholders

We encourage individuals from the residential community associations and other Calgary Professionals with knowledge and education in any of the following areas: Finance, Marketing, Law, Urban Planning or Fund Development to submit their names for consideration.

Responsibilities of Board Members include:

• Supporting our mission, vision and objects
• Attending monthly Board meetings
• Serving on at least one Board committee
• Liaison with assigned Community Associations
• Representing the Federation of Calgary Communities at presentations and events in the community

Qualifications we are looking for include:

• Commitment to enhancing the effectiveness of our residential community associations
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Knowledge and understanding of residential community associations
• Ability to plan long-term directions for the organization
• Ability to communicate and support the values of the Federation of Calgary Communities and communities
• Previous volunteer experience with a community association or other not-for-profit groups

Time Commitment:

Approximately 6-8 hours per month. Breakdown: 2 hours for monthly Board Meetings, 4 hours for Board committee work, 2 hours to attend presentations or community events. Generally meetings are in the evenings, however, there are 4 Saturday meetings per year.

How To Apply:

Applicants can submit a resume detailing their qualifications, by mail, fax, e-mail or hand deliver to:

Attention: Nominating Committee
Federation of Calgary Communities
301-1609 14 Street SW, Calgary, Alberta T3C 1E4

Fax: (403) 244-4129 or

Once every 18 months the Federation of Calgary Communities receives a license to host a Casino. It takes 40 volunteers to fill the positions for a two-day casino. There are two shifts per day – the DAY SHIFT is from 10:30 am to 7:00 pm and the NIGHT SHIFT is from 6:00 pm to 3:00 am. If you are able to assist us with one of these shift requirements, please give us a call.

No experience is necessary, just a pleasant personality and a willingness to volunteer your time to assist the Federation of Calgary Communities in providing services to the Calgary residential Community Associations.

If you are interested in assisting us, please call our office at (403) 244-4111 or with your name and telephone number to be included in our casino database. Since this is an annual event, we keep your information on file until you request to have it removed.

From time to time the Federation of Calgary Communities hosts events or conducts surveys.

Do you have clerical skills that are in line with the following tasks?

• Typing letters or documents – using MS Word, minimum 50 wpm
• Assemble various mailings – folding and stuffing envelopes
• Library – keeping current items filed and catalogue new items
• Telephone/switchboard – must be able to speak English clearly

If you are interested in assisting us, please call our office at (403) 244-4111 or with your name and telephone number to be included in our volunteer database. We keep your information on file for 6 months.

The Federation of Calgary Communities has representation on a number of External Committees with mandates related to community and the quality of life in Calgary. Staff members represent the Federation on some committees, and board members or other volunteers on others. If you are interested in our External Committees, please contact our office at (403)244-4111 or .

The Federation of Calgary Communities has (6) six internal Standing Committees organized to provide support to the Board of Directors. A Federation of Calgary Communities Board member chairs each committee, with the members being other Federation of Calgary Communities Board members or interested individuals from the community at large who have skills or expertise in the following areas:

• Fund Development – to provide a plan for financial sustainability for the Federation of Calgary Communities and to establish a resource base-both financial and material from which Community Associations can draw to support critical service needs.
• Finance - to review current financial policies and develop policies that will meet the future financial needs to sustain a healthy organization.
• Communications and Marketing – to develop and implement a reciprocal communication plan that will heighten awareness about the Federation of Calgary Communities and Community Associations.
• Organizational Support and Advocacy – to ensure that the Federation of Calgary Communities and Community Associations continue to be organizations that are effective and efficient in delivering services.
• Urban Planning – works with staff to address planning-related matters that have citywide implications and provide education and resources to Community Associations (note that many individual community associations have planning, transportation or environment committees and are also seeking volunteers).
• Nominations – to solicit appropriate and qualified candidates to serve on the Federation of Calgary Communities Board of Directors.

If you find one of the above committees of interest and would like to be considered as member, please contact our office at (403) 244-4111 or for more information on the committee.

If you are looking for a place to practice your web skills and can volunteer approximately 2-4 hours per month, please call our office at (403) 244-4111 or with your name and telephone number to be included in our volunteer database. We keep your information on file for 6 months. No vacancies at this time